Practical Nursing Diploma Program
Join the fastest growing profession in Canada as a Registered Practical Nurse. In order for you to be a proficient member of the nursing profession in both Native and non-Native community settings, the AEI offers additional First Nations specific components throughout the curriculum such as traditional medicine teachings and practices. Clinical placements are done locally and you have the option of completing your final 7 week preceptorship in your own community. As a graduate of the practical nursing program, you will be eligible and prepared for certification as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) through the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). You will also be eligible to enter the BScN bridging program through Nipissing University.
Employment Opportunities: Hospitals, Clinics, Mental Health facilities, Long-term Care facilities, Community/Home Care, other health organizations and institutions.
Admission Requirements
OSSD or equivalent, ENG4C or ENG4U, Grade 11 or 12 Science (C or U), Grade 11 Math (C, U or M)
Consideration will be given to applicants who do not possess an OSSD, but who have the above listed credits. If you do not possess these credits, feel free to contact us to learn about where you may acquire these courses. Conditional enrolment may be granted at the discretion of the Anishinabek Educational Institute.
Health Requirements
Accepted applicants MUST submit prior to entry into the Program proof of:
- A satisfactory medical examination
- An up-to-date immunization record including MMR (2 doses), TDAP, Hepatitis B (3 doses) and titre (within the last 24 months), Varicella (2 doses or evidence of immunity), 2 step TB skin test (only 1 step required if negative result within the last year)
- Titre testing required for all immunizations (if no evidence of immunity, boosters are required)
Clinical Requirements
Students are responsible for keeping all requirements up to date:
- Criminal record check (CPIC) with vulnerable sector – required every 6 months
- N95 Respirator Fit Testing – refitting required every 2 years
- First Aid & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training Level C, which must be completed to be eligible for clinical placements. – Annual re-certification required
- Flu vaccination – annual
- Covid-19 vaccination – 2 doses required
- Scrubs and shoes
- Stethoscope
Program of Study
Semester 1
This first-level post-secondary course will help students in all programs develop their ability to communicate effectively. The course requires students to meet first-year benchmarks for generic skills in researching, organizing, reframing, analyzing, and presenting information.
This course will examine personal learning styles, the concepts of teaching and learning, and their importance in the practice of practical nursing. The use of information technology will be applied to reading and understanding research reports. The concepts of caring, standards of practice, and reflective practice will be introduced. The learner will have the opportunity to explore the evolution of nursing, nursing theories, and the philosophy of nursing.
Using an experiential approach, this course will focus the learner on the skills necessary to communicate effectively on a personal and professional level. The concepts of caring will be used as a basis to explore the helping relationship, interviewing skills and group dynamics.
This course will introduce the learner to the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of health and healthy lifestyles, nursing process and critical thinking. The dimensions of human needs throughout the lifespan will be explored with an emphasis on the significance of self-responsibility, and the change process.
This course introduces the learner to the normal development, structures and functions of the human body. The learner will examine the physiological components of the human body in order to obtain understanding on how the structures and functions of the body are related.
This course will provide the learner opportunities to apply theoretical concepts and basic practice skills that maintain and promote health and wellness. The emphasis will be on learning the role of the novice nurse within a lab practice setting.
This course will describe the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes from pregnancy, birth, infancy, and early childhood through to late adulthood, and the end of life. Students will be introduced to some of the major theories in developmental psychology from a lifespan perspective.
This experiential learning course is designed to help learners reflect on Aboriginal peoples’ experiences of colonization and racism as these relate to health and human service care. Students will explore the concept of cultural safety as it relates to their practice. Students will be introduced to the livelihood of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples in pre-contact history and discuss the effects on overall health and well being in a contemporary paradigm. As practitioners in health and human care, students will learn to locate themselves in power imbalances that occur in practice and daily living.
Semester 2
This course will focus on health promotion and health protection strategies for selected individuals across the lifespan related to individuals, families, groups, and communities. This course will also examine the evolution of Canada’s Health Care System.
This course will provide the learner with the skills required to conduct a holistic health assessment for a normal healthy individual during all stages of the lifespan. The concepts of wellness, health promotion, health protection and client teaching will be integrated throughout the course.
This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I and will further examine the relationship of body structures and their functions. Understanding of the remaining individual body systems will provide the learner with knowledge on how these systems work together to carry on complex functions of the human body.
This course further explores the concept of health promotion and health protection with well individuals. The learner will gain basic assessment and nursing skills required to care for the individual in selected age groups. The course will consist of three components: independent learning, laboratory practice and clinical experience within a variety of health care settings.
Semester 3
This course introduces the learner to the concepts of pharmacology as selected drug groups are studied. The course will emphasize the role and responsibilities of the practical nurse in the administration and monitoring of client medications.
This course will focus on assisting the learner to develop a holistic approach to nursing. A variety of approaches to learning will be utilized and critical thinking strategies will be emphasized as the learner explores the care of individuals (adult and child), families and groups experiencing and/or predisposed to health challenges in a variety of life situations. Acute, chronic, mental health, rehabilitative and restorative care will be included. This course examines the nursing care required by individuals, families and groups experiencing the pathologies outlined in Nursing Theory II.
This course provides the learner with a general understanding and working knowledge of the structure and function of the human body experiencing a health challenge. The learner will examine changes that occur in the human body and explore how the body compensates for those challenges. Included in this course is the study of basic principles of microbiology.
This course will provide the learner with opportunities to examine the role of the practical nurse when caring for individuals with health challenges. Acute medical/surgical and obstetrical, chronic, mental health, rehabilitative, restorative and palliative care may be included. The learner will utilize critical thinking skills to plan and implement holistic nursing care for clients across the lifespan. The experience will take place in the laboratory setting as well as a variety of health care settings.
Semester 4
This course continues to explore concepts of pharmacology as selected drug groups are studied. The course will emphasize the role and responsibilities of the practical nurse in the administration and monitoring of client medications.
This course the learner will continue to develop a holistic approach to nursing. A variety of approaches to learning will be utilized and critical thinking strategies will be emphasized as the learner explores the care of individuals (adult and child., families and groups experiencing and/or predisposed to common health challenges in a variety of life situations. Acute, chronic, rehabilitative, restorative and palliative care will be included.
This course continues to provide the learner with a general understanding and working knowledge of the structure and function of the human body experiencing a health challenge. The learner will examine changes that occur in the human body and explore how the body compensates for those challenges.
This course will provide the learner with further opportunities to examine the role of the practical nurse when caring for individuals with health challenges. Acute medical/surgical and obstetrical, chronic, mental health, rehabilitative, restorative and palliative care may be included. The learner will utilize critical thinking skills to plan and implement holistic nursing care for clients across the lifespan. The experience will take place in the laboratory setting as well as a variety of health care settings.
This course will prepare the learner for entry into the workplace through exploration of leadership, conflict resolution and advocacy. Leadership and management roles within health care will be examined. The process of transition from student to nurse will be explored.
Semester 5
7 weeks/280 hours
This clinical experience will provide the learner with the opportunity to consolidate skills and knowledge at a level approaching that of a beginning graduate. Partnered with a Registered Practical Nurse, as a preceptor, the learner will gradually increase nursing practice skills within the professional role.
Clinical Placements
Employers who provide our clinical placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the clinical setting. The police record check MUST be obtained by the student and at the student’s expense every six (6) months. If you are not able to obtain this police clearance you will be unable to attend clinical placement, which would result in you not meeting requirements for graduation eligibility.
Information About Programs
All programs offered at the Anishinabek Educational Institute are full-time programs. Our programs are not only designed to reduce the high stress levels which develop when students are away from their family, community, and workplace responsibilities, but are also designed to enable students to retain their jobs while being trained.